The gates of the city slammed shut behind them, but the weight of the darkness pressed in from all sides. The air was thick with foreboding, the whispers now more distinct, almost intelligible. The shadowed presence, once distant, now loomed at their backs, like a creature just waiting to strike.
The city had been a place of safety, a haven from the horrors of the world outside. Now, it felt like the last refuge before the storm.
Elara turned to face her companions. Morgana, holding the artifact close, seemed to be battling the very energy that swirled in the air. Kade's eyes were steely with determination, though the strain was evident in his every movement. Thorne's sword was drawn, his stance alert, his gaze darting around as if he expected an attack at any moment.
